The evolution of Josh Giddey as a potent shooter from the three point line is good for him and for the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls have started this season with a 5-0 record, something the team hasn't done since the 1996-97 season when Michael Jordan and the Bulls went on to win the NBA Finals. The Bulls started that season with a 12-game winning streak and finished the regular season with a record of 69-13.

Brunson scored 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 and 15 rebounds as the Knicks handed the Bulls their first loss, 128-116 on Sunday night.

The Bulls and Knicks are meeting for the first of three regular-season matchups after facing each other in the NBA Cup on Friday. Chicago took the series last year, 2-1, and is looking to win in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2011-12 and 2012-13.

The Bulls’ fast-paced, egalitarian approach to offense passed its first major test against a Knicks team that has dreams of a deep playoff run with a 135-125 triumph in an NBA Cup game at the United Center. The Bulls are 5-0 for the first time since the 1996-97 season and are the last remaining undefeated team in the Eastern Conference.

The New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls will get their NBA Cup campaigns underway today, and I’m not sure if these two teams could be coming into Friday night’s opener on more opposing trajectories.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan said rookie Noa Essengue will be assigned to the G League to practice and play with Windy City, starting on Saturday.